Environmental Justice and Climate Change: Climate change is an existential threat that disproportionately impacts Black, Brown, Indigenous and poor white people, as well as women of color. North Omaha is a prime example of this – the North O coal-fired power plant is responsible for increased health impacts when compared to the rest of Omaha and the entire state; children and elderly people are experiencing higher rates of asthma and cardiovascular disease; it’s a trend we see all across the country. I want to work with OPPD to shut that power plant down as quickly as possible and replace it with renewable energy sources that will create thousands of jobs and address the historical harm that it has caused.
Equitable Ways of Addressing Blight: By making our communities more climate resilient, we increase numerous opportunities for residents. North Omaha has all the potential in the world to be a hub of community solar, retrofitted buildings and urban agriculture that can create jobs and increase the aesthetics of the community. And we also have to make sure that the existing residents are protected from gentrification and associated displacement.
End Eminent Domain For Private Gain: To prevent displacement and inequity we must end eminent domain for private gain because it disrupts communities, displaces residents and small businesses, and benefits wealthy developers over ordinary citizens, exacerbating economic inequality in both urban and rural Nebraska.